The Canadian Jewish Congress today made public a statement expressing regret at the fact that “not one word of public protest or public expression of disapproval” has been uttered by any of the responsible members of the Provincial Government of Quebec, or the clergy, condemning the anti-Jewish acts in Quebec City, which culminated in the recent attempt to burn down the new synagogue there.
“Whilst the Jewish community appreciates the statement attributed to Attorney General Leon Casgrain that ‘this Province is one where freedom of worship exists in its complete form,’ it is regrettable that these sentiments are apparently not shared by many influential citizens of this Province, and certainly not by the majority of the civic authorities of Quebec City,” the statement says.
“The Jewish community of Quebec City comprises about one hundred (100) families. Since 1932 they have endeavored to obtain permission to erect a synagogue where they might worship the religion of their fathers. Every conceivable obstacle was utilized to obstruct their laudable efforts, until finally in 1943 the City Council passed a by-law to expropriate the land purchased by the Jews whereon to erect their house of worship. This by-law has been attacked in the courts and the issue is still to be tried. In the meantime, while the building was being constructed, mass meetings were permitted to take place, where anti-Jewish feeling were aroused, to the knowledge of the authorities, civic, provincial and clerical, meetings even staged at the time when Churchill, Roosevelt and other dignitaries of the United Nations met in Quebec to plan their fight against Fascism, Nazis, etc.
“Strange to say, not one word of public protest or public expression of disapproval has yet been uttered by any responsible member of the Provincial Government, or of the prevailing clergy condemning these anti-religious acts. Is there any wonder that irresponsible persons have gained the impression that they are free to resort to acts of violence against a small Jewish community?” the statement points out.
“The broken windows of the Quebec synagogue will be replaced; the charred walls will be repaired. In the meantime, the very right of the congregation to worship in their new synagogue is still being contested in the courts by the City Council of Quebec, and this at the expense of the citizens,” the statement concludes.
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